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Prime Minister George Papandreou, speaking to reporters at the Maximos
Mansion on Tuesday, stressed that the strategy for the economy will not
change and the government will proceed on the basis of what it has
announced.

Papandreou said that he does not fear a rejection of the stability and
growth programme which the government will be submitting to the
European Union in January, adding that the Greek economic problem
differs from that of other countries and expressed optimism that the
government will succeed in its effort.

The prime minister noted that Greece's problem is mainly due to the
squandering of resources that were not directed towards growth, but to
such programmes as the "stage" and to corruption.

He also referred to the banks and pointed out that although they have
been financed they did not channel the money to the real economy, but
preferred to close some holes of their own and to fund very specific
companies.

He also said that inflation is no problem for Greece, while replying to
a question on whether there is a case of VAT increasing, he said that
no such suggestion has been put to him by the finance ministry.

Papandreou replied to many questions on the delay in the appointment of
secretary generals at ministries and replied that it is better for one
to wait even for one year for some changes to take place in the
country, that have not taken place over the past 200 years.

On the question of the electoral law and disagreements being voiced,
Papandreou said that he is willing to discuss every aspect of the issue
and clarified that the next self-administration and regional elections
will be held with the new electoral law and with "Kapodistrias 2."

Also replying to a question on whether the small parties stand to lose
if the German model is applied, the prime minister said that this is
not true and if the small parties lose some seats in the single-seat
constituencies they will win them, and probably more, in the regions.

As regards the question of immigrants, Papandreou defended the
arrangements being promoted by the Interior Ministry and on the
question of whether the electorate will be distorted in this way, he
replied that the electorate will not be distorted, it will simply
change and that, in any case, all parties have the possibility, on an
equal basis, to claim the vote of all the Greeks.